Human Resource Services

February 2009 > HR Forum > HR Pro > HRS Home

HR Forum - February 11, 2009

Also available as a downloadable PDF file: Presentation [PDF: 335 KB; 31 pages]

New Employee Welcome and Orientation (NEWO) Redesign - James McElroy, Director, Human Resource Service Center, Human Resource Services

Concept

  • Add a more WELCOMING feel
  • Reduce information overload
  • Introduce “one-stop shop” approach (tentative)
  • New Web site for registration and resource links

Phased in late March/early April

  • Video
  • Pre-registration process

Work/Life Services & EAP Update, Connie Deutsch, Director, Work/Life Services & EAP

Creating Solutions for Management Challenges

Co-Presenters: Susan Harnden, LCSW & Tracy Tarver, Dispute Resolution Officer
For Manager's & Supervisors
Fridays, February 27-April 24, 2009
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
North Office Building A
NOA 4.106A
Registration required
Contact: eap@austin.utexas.edu

Tools for Responding to Distress & Disruption in the Workplace

Presenter: Rita Handrich, Ph.D., Psychologist
For Manager's & Supervisors
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
9:00 a.m. to Noon
North Office Building A
NOA 4.106A
Registration required
Contact: eap@austin.utexas.edu

Workplace Rudeness & Incivility

Presenter: Rita Handrich, Ph.D., Psychologist
For Non-Supervisors
Thursday, March 5, 2009
8:30 a.m. to Noon
North Office Building A
NOA 4.106A
Registration required
Contact: eap@austin.utexas.edu

Are You Prepared?: Organizing Your Personal Records for Peace of Mind

Presenter: Amy Praskac, Founder of “On the Record”
For Non-Supervisors
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Noon to 1p.m.
Texas Union, Chicano Culture Room
UNB 4.206
Contact: eap@austin.utexas.edu

Retirement Updates, Vilma L. Santos, Interim HR Manager, Human Resource Service Center, Human Resource Services

Retirewise

  • MetLife has committed to presenting a four part seminar series where you can learn about key retirement issues and assess your personal situation
  • It’s another way to help you make the “ifs” in life a little more manageable
  • Four weekly sessions will include topics such as:
    • Building the Foundation
    • Creating and Protecting Wealth
    • Establishing Your Retirement Income Stream
    • Making the Most of What You Have
  • Communication will be going out to campus very soon
  • The current plan is to offer the seminar on a quarterly basis beginning in March
  • Registration is through TXClass – PN 700

Financial & Retirement Planning Fairs

  • Save the dates!
    • Tuesday, March 24 - Teacher Retirement System, Medicare and Retiring From UT Austin,  Social Security, and Estate Planning
    • Thursday, March 26 - Retirement provider booths and presentations
  • Events will take place in the Texas Union

HRSC Records - Robin Jarman, HR Manager, Human Resource Service Center, Human Resource Services

Form I-9

  • New version expected April, 2009
  • Do not fax I-9s
    • Payroll timing issue?
      • Call HRSC Records 1-5127
      • Hand Carry
  • Late I-9 must have explanation attached

I-9 Resources

E-Verify

  • Delayed until May 21, 2009

Selective Service Verification

FML Changes - Lisa Milne, HR Manager, Employee Management Services, Human Resource Services

FML Changes

  • New poster required
  • Policy Update; until completed each new hire should receive the poster from DOL (http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf)
  • No more provisional designations; however, employees still have 15 calendar days to apply for FML coverage
  • New forms for Eligibility and Designation to be used by Leave Management
  • Use of paid leave may be used to supplement STD/LTD benefits during FML if employer agrees – currently under review
  • Fitness for duty requires list of essential job functions with Designation Notice – notify EMS if situation arises
  • Employee responsibility to comply with call-in procedure absent extenuating circumstances
  • Mandatory, not optional, overtime may be counted towards FML entitlement
  • 12 months of state service have to be within prior 7 year period, except for National Guard or Reserve service
  • Federal compensatory time (overtime) may be used concurrently with FML entitlement
  • For clarification of form content
    • The employee has the responsibility to correct deficiencies
    • The employee will be notified in writing and given 7 days to correct
    • After 7 days, with employee’s permission, Leave Management (not the supervisor) may contact doctor’s office
  • CHP has changed: there are now four forms available depending on the type of leave requested
    • Employee’s own health condition
    • Family member’s health condition
    • Military caregiver
    • Qualifying exigency
  • Attendance awards
    • Employer may deny bonuses for perfect attendance or performance based on employee not meeting requirements even if due to FML absences so long as it is done in a non-discriminatory manner
  • Holidays
    • A holiday that falls in a full week of FML is counted towards FML entitlement
    • A holiday that falls in a week in which there are partial absences does not count towards FML entitlement

Qualified Exigency Defined

  • Only for Reserves and National Guard called to active duty by Federal Government
    • 1. Short notice deployment (7 calendar days or less)
    • 2. Military events and scheduled activities
    • 3. Childcare and school activities
    • 4. Financial and legal arrangements
    • 5. Non-medical counseling
    • 6. Rest and recuperation (5 days each)
    • 7. Post-deployment activities
    • 8. Additional activities agreed to by employer and employee
  • Requires copy of orders and forms
  • Child does not have to be under age 18

Military Caregiver Leave

  • Members of armed forces, National Guard, or Reserves injured or ill in line of active duty
  • Does not apply to those on permanent disability list
  • Child does not have to be under 18
  • Next of Kin defined:
    • Closest blood relative service member designated as next of kin
    • If not designated then: spouse, parent, son, daughter, blood relative granted legal custody, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and first cousins 
    • May take leave consecutively or concurrently
  • If all 26 weeks are not taken, balance is forfeited
  • Per covered service member per injury: can take additional 26 weeks next year if new injury or new service member
  • If qualified for both military caregiver and regular, military comes first
  • Spouses employed by same employer get 26 weeks combined
  • Must accept ITA and ITOs as sufficient certification for leave

Introduction - Amy L. Greenspan, New Student Employment Coordinator, Employee Management Services, Human Resource Services

Next HR Forum

  • Wednesday, March 11, 2009, 10 a.m.